“ZHAO XINTONG is on the cusp of history as he closes in on the World Snooker Championship title. The Chinese cueist looks set to become the first Asian and the first amateur to win the iconic Crucible crown. 1 Zhao Xintong is closing in on the World Snooker Championship title Credit: AFP Zhao holds a”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
The Chinese cueist looks set to become the first Asian and the first amateur to win the iconic Crucible crown.
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Zhao Xintong is closing in on the World Snooker Championship titleCredit: AFPZhao holds a 17-8 lead over three-time world champion Mark Williams heading into the last session of the final this evening.
The 28-year-old has been the standout player at the Crucible, knocking out the likes of seven-time world champ Ronnie O’Sullivan en route to the final.
Many fans have questioned whether Zhao’s amateur status would affect the prize money he would collect from his stunning run at the tournament – SunSport brings you the answer below.
WE are now into the final days of what has been a THRILLING World Snooker Championship!
Will Zhao Xintong receive World Snooker Championship prize money as an amateur?Zhao was tipped by many to break into snooker’s elite after winning the 2021 UK Championship and 2022 German Masters.
But his career was paused in June 2023 after he was banned for 20 months for his role in a match-fixing scandal.
Zhao was one of 10 players involved who were suspended from snooker, but crucially, he did not fix matches himself.
Due to his involvement in the scandal, the Chinese star was relegated to amateur status.
Amateurs in some sports, such as golf, aren’t eligible to win prize money during events.
However, this ruling does not apply in snooker, meaning Zhao will receive all £500,000 for winning the World Championship, should he go all the way.
Controversially, the Chinese cueist will also keep his ranking points after he earned his way back onto the tour following his suspension through his success in four events on the amateur Q Tour.
Should he pick up the Crucible crown, Zhao will surge up to 11th in the world rankings and also be seeded second for every tournament next season – except for the Worlds defence, where he will be the No1.
On the matter, a WST spokesperson said: “The principle clearly established in snooker is that amateurs can earn prize money and ranking points in the same way that professionals do, and there are many precedents for this.
“Zhao has earned his top 64 place on merit, he will keep the rankings points he has earned and if he wins the World Championship, he will be seeded second for most events next season which again is a long-standing principle.
“Our entry pack was agreed with the Players Board before the start of this season.
“We accept that the wording in this particular paragraph could have been clearer, but the principles are unchanged and well established.”